I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Lowcountry has THE best parks.
It’s a combination of reasons why –stunning natural beauty, a lot of water, visionary leaders who realize the importance of parks to their citizenry, andtalented people to design/build them.
Mount Pleasant’s Gem: Memorial Waterfront Park
Mount Pleasant’s Memorial Waterfront Park is a prime example. Created underneath the stately Ravenel Bridge, it’s built on the pilings of the original bridges it replaced. Its 1,250 foot pier extends into Charleston Harbor and is the site of great events like Dancin’ on the Cooper, Blessing of the Fleet, Sweetgrass Basket Festival, summer movie series, concerts, fishing clinics, yoga classes, etc. Spacious green areas provide plenty of room to picnic or throw a Frisbee. There’s a popular playground for kids, and wide chair swings that overlook the water.
As I blogged about a couple years ago, they’ve been planning a really exciting new phase of the park, called Phase III - an ambitious multi-purpose combination of many mini parks in one.
The location: right across the street from the original area of the park. It, too, is in the shadow (and in some cases directly underneath) the Ravenel Bridge, almost down to where it merges onto land.
It’s a cool idea and design, since you benefit from the bridge offering shade from the sun and protection from rain.
Phase III is officially open!
It’s taken seven years of hard work and $6,750,000 of budgeted funds. Unexpected delays due to things like the global pandemic and some wacky weather. Extra time/care to make sure everything was tip-top and up to the high bar of expectations.
That being said - I am pleased to share that the new part of the park is officially open to the public. The ribbon cutting took place June 10th.
We recently paid a visit, and I can tell you, they really hit it out of the park with this one! (Pun intended.) In fact they’re calling it the “Crown Jewel of Mount Pleasant.”
It’s beautiful and colorful, with so many different parts to explore and use. It was great how many people of all ages were already out there enjoying its many facets.
Parts of the Park
I was bowled over by just how many fun new features are in the park’s design. Some of my favorites:
Plenty of free parking, plus charging for electric vehicles.
The park is built on what used to be vast areas for overflow parking for special events. Thankfully, there’s still plenty of public parking, and there’s no charge. And speaking of charge - there’re plenty of convenient spots right out front to charge your EV.
A tribute to the bridge’s history.
Check out the giant piece from the old Grace Bridge, the original double cantilever truss bridge built in 1929 that crossed Charleston Harbor. Called the “Rollercoaster,” it was notoriously narrow and scary to drive. In fact I had a neighbor here on Isle of Palms who refused to drive over it and always went another route. When the Grace was torn down in 2005 to make way for the new Ravenel Bridge, the Town Council of Mount Pleasant had the foresight to save one of its trusses, which now greets visitors in a special landscaped area near the front.
A big walking track.
A large circular walking loop runs along the upper left part of the park, perfect for runners or walkers, people and dogs alike. There are also three marked trails of different lengths; just look for the medallions embedded in the tabby paths - the Turtle Trail (0.27 mile), Crab Trail (0.78 mile), and Pelican Trail (1.5 miles).
Splash pad and water tower.
The flashiest, snazziest, splashiest part of the park is the central water feature boasting a nifty replica of the Ravenel Bridge’s double diamonds. Just hit a button and jets of water shoot up from the ground for 15 minutes of refreshing relief from the heat. There’s a building with restrooms plus rocking chairs for the parents to enjoy while watching the kids.
There’s also a replica of the beloved Mount Pleasant water tower. It used to proudly proclaim the town’s name as it peered over the Old Village … before being torn down a couple years ago, much to the dismay of locals. So it’s back again in slightly smaller form to remind you where you are.
Serenity park/sensory space for children.
Between the splash pad and the Grace truss is a thoughtful addition – a quiet space for anyone who needs a break. Triangular sunshades protect the area, and underneath are whimsical flowers and tactile activities for kids to enjoy.
Multi-use sports courts.
These were already being put to good use by several guys in a heated game of basketball. They can also be used for pickleball and roller hockey. Courts are situated directly under the bridge, offering a respite from the glare of the hot sun.
Dog parks, big and small.
Two adjacent fenced in dog parks allow big dogs to hang with the big dogs, and little dogs with the littles. Both are large and fully fenced, with dog water fountains, poop bag kiosks, benches, Astroturf-topped hills, and benches. They’re also in the shade of the bridge and are located at the far right end of the park, where the bridge comes down toward the ground.
Fitness area/MoveStrong obstacle course.
Toward the front right of the park is an extensive array of outdoor calisthenics exercise equipment, like battle ropes and punching bags. An official MoveStrong installation has handy signage explaining the parts of the obstacle course - hanging balance discs, quintuple steps, angled balance beam and over/under posts.
So bring the kids, bring the dog, and head over to this gem of a park. It’s an easy drive from all our Isle of Palms beach rentals and well worth a visit.
All best,
Lowcountry Lisa